Re: [bolger] Re: Dinghy Recommendation

Lincoln wrote:

>I would like to know more about this "treatment", as my biggest
>objection to these kind of boats is puncture potential. The guy who
>bought my Monfort boat could maybe use the info in his repairs. Thanks

Yes. First, they use 14-26 oz. nylon cloth, some of which still heat
shrinks and is said to be much more heavy duty than the dacron. Then,
they are coated with neoprene rubber and hypalon, the stuff they make
the river running rafts out of.

There's more in Skip Snaith's new book 'Umiak, An Illustrated Guide' and
at the Kayak Way web site
http://www.rockisland.com/~kyak/index.html

From Skip's skin boat website faq:

"You want me to go out in a cloth covered boat?

Sounds pretty flimsy. I had the same prejudice for years. In the
Northwest skin boats
seem to deal with rocks and barnacles at least as well as the glass and
plastic boats,
probably better. You can hit a 26 oz. nylon double weave hull with the
claw end of a
hammer as hard as you like. - BOING - the hammer bounces back - watch your
forehead!. Care to try that with a glass boat?"

I think Platt Montfort probably sticks with dacron because it is
foolproof and incredibly cheap. Also because his boats are basically
designed for mild conditions. If your friend's boat is shot, maybe it's
time to reskin.

Mark